Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-07-08
WILL STAY AT HOME.
The PRESIDENT ASSERTS HIS MANLY DIG
NITY AND DECLINES TO 60 TO ST. LOUIS.
htleSm Atains Its Mean and Selfish Alma Noble
and Dignifed Letter that Viii Make the Little
Ones HOwl-PahiOie Sentiments that
May Well b Studied.

ST. LOUIS, July The following let
ter, addressed to the Mayor of this city,
who was the Chairman of the Committee
of Representative Citizens of st. Louis,
who verbally invited the President to visit
this city duriug the holding of the En-
campment of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, next September, was made public
here to-day, and explains itself without
further comment:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887.
Hon. Ddrid Z. Francis. Mayor and Chair
man
My DEAR SIR:-When | received the
extremely cordial and gratifying invitation
from the citizens of st. Louis, rendered by
4 number of her representative men, to
visit the city during the National Encamp-
ment OF the Grand Army of the Republic,
| b d been contemplating for some time
the acceptance OF an invitation from that
organization to the same effect, and had
considered the pleasure it would afford me
if it should be possible, TO meet not only
members of the Grand Army, but the peo
pie OF st. Louis and other cities in the
West, which the occasion would give me
an opportunity to visit.
The transactions of my public duties |
felt to be so uncertain, however, that,
when first confronted by the delegation oil
which you are the head, | expected TO do
no more at that time than to promise the
consideration of the double invitation ten
dered Inc, and express the pleasure 1t
would give me TO accept the same there
after ii possible. But the cordiality and
sincerity OF your presentation, reinforced
by the heartiness Of the people who sur
rounded you, 50 impressed me that could
not resist the feeling which prompted me
to assure you on the spot that 1 would he
with you and the Grand Army of the Re
public ut the time designated, if nothing
happened in tine meantime to absolutely
prevent my leaving Washington.
Immediately upon the public annOunc E.
ment of this conclusion, expressions ema-
mating from certain important members OF
the Grand Army of the Republic, and in
creasing in volume and yITulence, con-
strained me TO review my acceptance OF
these inyitatiOnS. The expressions refer
red to 20 to the extent of declaring that
would be an unwelcOme guest at the time
and place of the National Encampment
This statement is based, rs well Is | can
Judge, upon certain official acts OF mine,
involving important public interests, done
under the restraints and obligations OF my
oath of office which did not appear to ac-
cord with the wishes of some members of
the G. \. K.
REFUSE To BELIEVE
that this organization, founded upon pa
triotic ideas, composed very largely OF
men entitled to lasting honor and consid-
Grafton, and whose Crowning glory 1t should
be that they are American citizens aS well
~ veteran soldiers, deems it part OF Its
mission to compass any object or purpose
by attempting to intimidate the executive
OF cOerce those charged with making and
executing the laws. And vet the express
siuns to which | have referred indicate
such prevalence Of untriendly feeling and
such & menace TO an occasion which should
he harmonious, peaceful and cordial, that
they cannot be ignored.
beg you 10 understand that | am not
conscious of any act of mine which should
make me fear To meet the Grand Army of
the Republic, or any other aSsemhlage Ot
nv fellow citizens. The account of my
official stewardship is always ready for
presentation to my countrymen. Ishould
not be frank if / failed to confess, while
dlsclaiming all resentment, that
have been hurt by the unworthy and
wantou attacks upon me growing out Of
this matter, and the reckless manner i'll
which my actions and motives
HAVE BEEN MISREPRESENTED
both publicly and privately. for which,
however the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, as a body, il by no means responsible.
The threats OF personal violence aud harm
in case | undertake the trip IN question,
which scores of misguided, unbalanced
men under the stimulation Of excited feel
ing have made, are not even considered.
Rather than abandon my visit to the west
and diSappOint your citizens, | might, If
alone were concerned, submit TO the Insult
60 which it Is quite openly asserted would
I've helplesSly subjected il present at the
encampment; hut | should hear with me
there the peoples highest office, the dig
nifty of which | must protect; and be
lieve that neither the Grand Army OF
the Republic ~ an organization,
nor anything like majority of its MEM
bers, would ever encourage any such scan
4 a hon
among the membership OF this body there
are some, as certainly seems the case, de
termined to denOuuce NE and my official
acts at the National Encampment, ] be-
lieve they should he permitted to do so
uurestrained by my presence rs a guest OF
their organization, OF as a guest Of the
hoSpitable city in which their meeting Is
held. A number of Grand Army Posts
have signified their intention, l am in
formed, to remain away from the encamp-
nent in case ] visit the city at that time.
Without considering the merit of such Su
excuse, feel that / ought not 10 be the
cause Of such nOn-attendance. The time
and place of the encampment were fixed
long before my invitations were received.
Those desiring TO participate In Its pro-
ceedings should be first regarded, and
nothing should be permitted TO interfere
with their intentions.
ANOTHER REASON FOR DECLINING.
Another consideration OF more import
ance than all Others remains TO be noticed. !
The fact was referred TO by you when you
verbally presented the invitation of the
citizens of ST. Louis that the coming en-
campment of the Grand Army OF the Re
public would bethe frSt held in a Southern
State. suppose this fact WAS mentioned
rs a pleasing Indication of the fraternal
feeling fast gaining ground throughout the
entire land aud hailed by every patriotic |
citizen as an earnest that the Union has
really and in fact been saved sentiment
and spirit with all the benefits it yOueh- |
safes 70 a united people. cannot rid my
self OF the belief that the least diScord on
this prOpitious occasion might retard the |
progress of the sentiment OF common broth |
crhood which the Grand Army OF the Repub- |
lie has 50 good an opportunity to increase |
and foster. / certainly ought not to be the |